Page 171 of Plus Size Player
“I never wanted to wear the same thing as everybody else,” Russ started. “I didn’t just want to follow the trends; I wanted to set them. I wanted to design them. So, I started designing T-shirts. People kept asking me where I got them, so I created Real Life Fashions. I was doing T-shirts, sweats, and hoodies and selling them on campus at Hamilton University. I started making real money with it by my senior year. As my style evolved, so did my vision for RLF. I’ve always wanted a successful business. But this year has blown my mind. Fashion Week was never a dream of mine. Fashion Week was my sister’s dream for me. And what we did on that stage set the bar high. What we do here every day sets the bar high. I can’t thank you enough because this wasn’t just me—this was all of us. We don’t follow the trends. We set the trends.”
Everyone clapped and cheered wildly.
“First,” he continued, “Remedy and I had a meeting with the buyer for the largest department store in the country on Tuesday morning. They were impressed with the show, and they are interested in bringing the spring-summer line to their stores!”
I gasped.
He’d told me that the meeting had gone well, but he buried the lead of how well it went. Everyone started talking excitedly.
Russ waited until the room quieted before he continued. “Second, I typically keep my business separate from my personal life.” He turned his attention to me, staring at me from across the room. “Butmy personal life now includes a woman,my woman,and our relationship is extremely important to me. I’ve held her in high regard since I met her, and she’s inspired me in so many ways over the last few months.” He stroked his beard and then took a step forward. “So, I was caught off guard when Remedy and Lori added a fifth model for us in August and it was Nina… the woman I’d fallen in love with back in June.”
A wave of shocked reactions, mumbled catcalls, and complete confusion swept over the room as they looked between the two of us frantically.
“Which brings me to my third announcement.” He looked around the room and then gestured for his sister to stand. “Remedy Rose knocked the ball out of the park yesterday. She has been so instrumental in the successes we’ve seen. I created RLF, but Remedy has been the driving force behind taking it to the next level. I got into this because of my love of design. When Remedy finished her master’s program, she came to me with a business plan. This wasn’t a sister asking her brother for a job. This was a businesswoman with a plan to take the company to the next level. And for that reason, I’ve always said Real Life Fashions wouldn’t be where it is today without her.”
Everyone in the room clapped. It was a beautiful show of love and respect. Remedy walked to the head of the conference room table and hugged Russ, which just made us cheer louder. He whispered something to her, and her face stilled before she nodded. Her eyes were wide, as if whatever he said stunned her.
He took a step back and clapped with everyone else. When he stopped, so did we.
“With that being said, I love RLF, and I’d do anything for it. I love Nina and I’d do anything for her. I love my sister and I am honored to announce that effective immediately, Remedy will be acting CEO. I’m stepping down as CEO of Real Life Fashions.”
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The collective gasp was so loud it reverberated.
My stomach plummeted.What does that mean? Is this because of me? Because of us?
He didn’t even give us a chance to process as he kept talking. “Remedy will be acting CEO, and it will be made official at the quarterly board meeting at the end of the month. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting. Thank you for your time.”
With my heart slamming against my chest, my eyes followed him as he strolled out of the conference room.
“Did he just quit for you?” Taisha hissed.
“I don’t…”
I was at a loss for words. I didn’t know he was going to do that. I didn’twanthim to do that. RLF was his brainchild and his legacy. He told me to trust him and that he had a plan, but I would’ve never gone along with a plan that meant he had to give up his company, his dream.
My chest felt like it was cracking open.
Remedy instructed Lori to start the meeting, but I barely heard a word. Just when I was able to push my emotions down, the models were dismissed to the showroom. As soon as the conference room door closed behind us, the models erupted with questions.
“The boyfriend you were talking about is Russell Long?” Matias damn near hollered.
“Is that how you got chosen for the runway show?” Jacqueline questioned.
“Does he know that I didn’t know about him so there’s no need for beef?” Jonah asked.
“You two have only been dating since June and y’all already got matching shoes?” Taisha joked.
As we walked to the other side of the office building, I answered them all.
“Yes, Russell Long is my man,” I told Matias. Turning to Jonah, I continued. “He knows that you didn’t know anything, and he doesn’t have beef with you at all.”
I eyed Jacqueline, not completely sure if she was being shady or not. “No, Angelica nominated me to walk in the show. Russell wasn’t in on the vote for me to walk.”
Taisha bumped me with her hip. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Shaking my head, I laughed. “Because it wasn’t a real question.” I pointed at her. “I knew you peeped that. I felt it in my gut.”
